In the wake of this past weekend’s learning of emcee Michael “Eyedea” Larsen’s untimely death, another Midwest emcee, Copywrite, provided HipHopDX and several other sites with a dedication. In the hours after that song, Copywrite asked that it be taken down after some listeners expressed concerns. Today (October 21) provided HipHopDX with the following letter:
“First of all, I would like to offer my deepest condolences and apologies to anyone who has taken the tribute song I did for Eyedea the wrong way. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans. In no way shape or form did I intend to make an opportunity for myself with the loss of Eyedea. Hopefully, once I explain my thoughts and actions you will understand where I was coming from and accept my apologies.
It is true that I never met Eyedea; and that is why I mentioned it in the song, however I knew his work and of his great reputation as an artist. I respected him as a fellow musician regardless of my musical tastes or opinions. Last summer a mutual acquaintance had relayed to me that Eyedea was going through some problems. I asked on twitter to get a contact for Eyedea but never was able to make a connection.
Over the last two years I have gone through a lot of loss in my own life, starting with the loss of my longtime friend Camu [Tao], followed by the loss of my mother in May of 2009 and most recently the loss of my grandfather in April this year. I have been in a dark place and I am finally coming out of it now. I dealt with loss on my record that is coming out; in fact one song is a tribute to three musicians I have never met, Kurt Cobain, Biggie and my great-grandfather Skip Nelson. I have a song dedicated to Camu and to my mother on the record and I bring this up as an example of how I deal with loss.
Also, over the last couple of weeks I have been doing weekly freestyles on HipHopDX, I do them on Sundays so they can go up on Monday. While I was writing this last Sunday the news broke about Eyedea. Once I started thinking about it, I reflected on my own life, being close in age, same profession and having gone through similar problems. I also felt like I needed to do something, I do not have tons of money, but what I do have is talent for making songs.
I thought if I wrote a track for him as a tribute, to pay my respects and also post the link that his mom sent out for donations that I would be helping. Yet, I did not know this would be perceived as an “opportunity” on my part, as that was farthest thing from my mind. If I was trying to make “Candle in the Wind” and profit from someone’s loss, why would I rush the track on an already used beat and put up the song for free download next to the donation link his mother sent out?
Again, I am truly sorry for any pain I have unintentionally caused anyone and please know that I was only trying to pay respects. When I found out the song had affected people and was being misconstrued the wrong way I asked HiphopDX and other outlets that had it posted to take it down.
Sincerely,
Peter Nelson
a/k/a Copywrite”
sorry about your losses but this feels like a pub. stunt. i wouldnt do a song about someone i never knew. deuces!!
Okay once again, why so many artist that doesn’t know 2Pac and Biggie is been giving a tribute?
See, think for a moment before thinking about some “Conspiracy” publicity stunt without any godamn evidence.
you are forgiven.
Well written brother. And im sure people will understand why the song was written and released.
Tmash
http://www.copywriteworld.com
Your still a douchebag. Especially with that whack grin on your face.
Thats weird then why so many artist that doesn’t know 2Pac and Biggie is been giving a tribute?
Your the douche, douche.
A tribute 3 days after he died and one that assumes he ODed? I don’t think so jackass. Get a grip and go listen to Lil Wayne or whatever else whack ass shit you listen to.
Wow that comment you just made definitely show you the intellectuality side of yourself.
I feel bad for you, I think you need to go college and learn other people’s different interest, perception and ideology, but unfortunately you want to be a sadistic anti-intellectual bully, so I shouldn’t bother.
you could start by taking your mug off the top of this article and putting up mike’s. sorry, just seems like a pub stunt…
…and maybe plug your upcoming release a little more…
Exactly… This apology is almost more disgusting. Mentioning your album? A huge picture of you and a letter ALL ABOUT YOU. What I took out of this is several paragraphs of a backwards ass apology by trying to justify his song “I said I didn’t know him in the song” “I’ve dealt with loss which qualifies me to make this song” “I posted the link his mom gave so how could it be about me” Just a bunch of statements trying to justify this.
I apologize for anyone who has taken this the wrong way implies that you weren’t wrong, we were just wrong for taken it the wrong way. Nice apology. And you’re not apologizing for implying his cause of death publically while his family asked for privacy? Classy publicity stunt
What is so hard about just saying “I WAS WRONG” with no clauses attached. No justifications. Just I WAS WRONG. I was wrong to publically imply a cause of death. I was wrong not to respect the family’s request for privacy. I was wrong to use Eyedea’s death has a opportunity to post a song to several sites by hopes of luring in Eyedea fans and generating more money for myself.
exactly.
@CopywriteISADOUCHE I personally think it’s pretty obvious that this was not some publicity stunt. Regardless, the dude apologizes, which takes balls. If he truthfully thought he was doing something positive, he shouldn’t have to say he was wrong…because he wasn’t.
@DJ Bliggstar I guess we have a different definition of apology then – If you’re going to apologize, apologize, acknowledge what you did wrong, don’t point the finger at others for “misconstruing” your words. As if anybody is lacking the ability to comprehend the words of a 2 minute copywrite song. We all understood it. It was wrong. Or, if you think it was right, then don’t apologize, stand by your song, put it on your album you’re pumping up in this letter. And go make your money off Eyedea’s death.
how is this a way to generate profit and a fan base for Copy? these people are bozos for even considering that. Copy and Eyedea are part of the same cause. They both represent something that people said could not be done. I know I always felt a connection with other emcees ive never met before because most of us have the same voice in matter of opinion. Copy is simply paying homage. knowledge 120 you cold suckas
wow, people are taking this shit way to far, copy was paying his respects to an artist he looked up 2! so back off people
Rest In Peace EYEDEA! people on the web could always take things the wrong way if they dont actually listen to someones elses art. It kinda sucks what type of society we live in
even this apology is more press for copywrite. he continues you stick his nose into the eyedea tragedy. it is unbelievable. you wanna show that you’re sorry, stop talking about yourself and your stupid rushed song over somebody else’s beat. if you want to write an apology, apologize. don’t talk about how you are so talented and how you can write a good song and you you you you you.
You are just digging the hole deeper. LET IT GO MAN. It’s like a cheater that keeps saying…”Baby, baby, you know I love you right baby?” “Baby, Im sorry, Baby!!!”
LET.
IT.
GO.
peace. before this song came down, copy and I were speaking about a few different things. One of them being how people hit me up and said they really liked copy’s new eyedea joint. we discussed both sides multiple angles of perception, especially since it is widely known that some people are known for being ’emo’ and clicky, that it is possible people may not have taken copys song the way he intended.
again, at this time, the song was still up, recieving both positive and negative feedback.
after a few shows and days later, i check the internet and see that homeboy took the song down.
1. recognizing your influence as negative and taking a stance to terminate that influence is nothing but respectful
2. poetic license is real
3. we are all brother and sisters
4. i personally liked eyedeas music and
if i had a weekly freestyle drop on a website like dx and someone in hip hop passed, what dumbfuck wouldnt write a song about it..especially one that reveals your own pain and devils and reaching out to the soul of someone you related to and is no longer here.
yall sensitive ass mothafuckas need to stop labeling yourself hip hop fans
hip hop is our thing
poetry is the individuals
shout to the biggie and pac person who talked about those rip songs
yall need to get a life
and start showin some more love where its needed
maybe eyedea would still be alive
RIP EYEDEA and some of you fake hip hop fans
one love
seriously!? I can’t believe Ima step into this. I’m with you that it would cross any MCs mind, but it’s a matter of recognizing it’s in bad taste. If it was a freestyle in a show that got put on YouTube by a fan, no problem…but this took some premeditation. Just as quickly as any MC would think to write about it, any MC worth shit would also think…hmm, maybe it’s too soon. Toss into that his speculation about something he knew nothing about, and that’s fucked up. And this dissent has nothing to do with being clicky or emo or whatever you’re trying to imply with that.
For example, I work for a company that shot video of Eyedea’s last performance the weekend before he died…we are putting the footage together and typically we run a bumper (animated logo, brought to you by, with title of project, date, etc) so in this situation we chose to leave that off.
The point here, is that there’s nothing wrong allowing this into your art, god knows this shit will make it’s way onto my next album (but that’s way down the line)…he should have at least done it anonymously…people would have figured out who it was, yeah…but it would have been the classy thing to do. And no question the un-apology does add insult to injury. Obviously this dude has some fans, but he just pissed off a bunch of people that he I’m sure he didn’t want to. Whomever is managing or doing PR for this cat is a clown, or a vampire.
i feel u
i do
all im sayin is
everything f x everyone diferent
yes it was very soon
only people close to eyedea may decide it was ‘too’ soon
but than again, if no one had done it and copy was the first someone would have said something about that
what i meant be emo or clicky is that
a.emo =- shit happens. to be mad that copy did what he did, after hearing what he did, only tells me someone is a little to ’emo’ about the situation…given it IS a huge tragedy..yet stil public info …he was a public figure….who intentionally put himself out to the world, to ask for someone not to do this i feel went against everything he stood for.
b. clicky – if copy was in rhymesayers, he would have ..well most likely neverh ave released this…but rhymesayers stick wit rhymesayers cats , atleast from the looks of things, to the rest of the world..and thats not a bad thing…a click shud rep itself and be strong, but in turn, it may seem that, especially in the ‘battle’ world, where a lot of rhymesayers artists have risen from, clicky does not unparrallel what battle clicks do in these types of situations.
its not a diss. its a perception.
both objective and subjective.
personaly. i have love for all parties.
though, after knowing abot the situation somewhat, i felt the truth as i knew it should be told.
peace to everyone
rip eyedea
and i only wrote this now cause my browser went to an old page and this was it so i checked the comments.
1
CopywriteISADOUCHE = mac lethal right? right… sign your name.
@burntmd
” 4. i personally liked eyedeas music and
if i had a weekly freestyle drop on a website like dx and someone in hip hop passed, what dumbfuck wouldnt write a song about it..especially one that reveals your own pain and devils and reaching out to the soul of someone you related to and is no longer here.
”
well said.
HAHA. DOUCHEBAG changed his picture. What a poser.
im glad COpyright did the song. stop being bitches and let the man do a tribute to an artisted he respected. wtf this is hip hop this is what we do
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check out the new hiphop booty webshow
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I like how Copy took the time to tell all you douchebag stans that he was sorry for any UNINTENTIONAL offense that people may have taken and you still hate on him so hard. Why does dude catch so much shit? I’ve always been a fan of Copywrite, and dude is mad talented.
If you’re gonna hate on him for making a dedication song, you might as well go bitch at Jay-Z, Puffy, Talib Kweli and more.
“Over the last two years I have gone through a lot of loss in my own life, starting with the loss of my longtime friend Camu [Tao]”
Did anyone else not laugh while reading this sentence? Either Copywrite REALLY is spineless, or he’s a pathological liar. Either one, he’s not worthy of respect.
Btw, for all of you idiots who don’t think this was a publicity stunt on Copy’s part, lets take a look at his history. Please read this before you provide more thoughtless comments. If this is too much to read, simply don’t comment. And I mean everything I’ve said here with all due respect to both Eyedea and Camu.
Copy and Camu were most certainly not on good terms or long time friends. Where was Copy when Camu was dying? No where. When Camu died, he became Copy’s bff once more. Did anyone forget their fight and Copy’s separation from WM? Alright, you can say pay respects to the guy, it’s not right having beef with someone who passed, but why would you feature him in your songs using prerecorded tracks from the past? Camu’s death was getting attention, like Eyedea’s is now. He’s using Camu’s death as a vehicle for people to check out & buy his album.
Cage, captures a new audience as well as MTV’s eye. Copy had not called out Cage once, of course until Cage gained a new fan base and some more publicity. Then when Cage is in his town, he purposely jumps Palko from behind while he’s talking to girls and FILMS it. Why do you film something if not to release for attention? Palko didn’t even do anything and squashed all beefs he previously had, and said he was no longer interested in this “immature” side of hip hop. Copywrite once more, purposely acts in order to gain publicity.
Now Eyedea passes. Not even a full 24 hours and Copy is working on that tribute, hustling to get it out while Eyedea’s death is still hot. His own fam & Rhymesayers alike said they would not like to make a statement and request privacy at the moment. What the fuck makes Copy think he’s in line to put word out before Eyedea’s own family?! It’s so obvious this was to gain attention and a rep for himself. YES, he released the track for free, but this opened him to Eydea’s audience and everyone else picking up on the hype of his death!
You guys have to be retarded to not see what Copy is doing and HAS been doing. He rides attention like a horse. This guy is an attention whore.
So I guess the best thing to do would be to ignore him…damn humans….
You are too stupid too realize you are wrong about half the shit you wrote. Camu and Copy had reconciled at the end, and had been close friends almost their entire lives.
WHile I respect Copy comin out to explain himself, he shoulda just been more sensitive in the first place.
Candle In The Wind was released loooooooooong before Lady Diana died and was re-released bc it was appropriate, Elton John was her friend and didnt profit from the sinlge, shitty example
All I gotta say is who gives a shit? It’s song that Copywrite did in memory of Eyedea, someone who he hadn’t met yet still looked up to. Now, if his intentions were not as innocent as he’s playin them off to be, that shit’ll come around. But for now, it seems like he’s genuine. May have fucked up a bit on the calling Camu Tao his long time friend, after looking at the comments regarding that bit, but still. Lay off the dude. Y’all are quick to judge and vilify any motherfucker for no good reason at all… that shit ain’t right.
Anyone who is looking more into this than what it is, get a life. It was a gesture to a fallen comrade. Yall net nerds need to fuckin realize that. and as far as copy and camu, yea, they fell out ( like all friends usually do at some point) and also made back up. Nobodys perfect, but Copy didnt put out the tribute for fucking pub. i think his talent speaks for itself
i never seen so many kids sit at home and hate on a rapper like this. get something to do with yo self. u know what they say about hate………
RIP EYEDEA, Pac, Pun, BIG, Big L, Left Eye, Freaky Tah, Proof, Scott laRock, JMJ, CAmu Tao, DJ Przm
i think its a good thing for even somebody who didnt know him but liked his music to do a tribute song, and i like copywrite, but the problem here is that he has done a lot of diss songs of people he doesnt know that felt to everybody as publicity stunts, thats probably why people felt the way they did though im sure those werent his intentions
I vaguely heard of both of these artists but RIP to Eyedea. You’re in nerd rap heaven now. ODB and 2Pac are picking on him as we speak.
regular, you can go to gangsta rap hell and be terrorized by waka flaka flame for all i care, bitch!
Yo just to wanted to show up from the future to remind you of this fatass L you typed out
just wanted to step in and say motherfuck copywrite and his dick riding. If you can’t succeed off bashing asher, maybe a much better MCs death will provide an oportunity!
CopyWrite Live n Fresno,Ca Nov.30
@ Starline Doors Open @ 8:30
Tickets Available @ LiveMusicCity.com
$10 Presale $12@ Door
21 And Over
people that hate on copy for making that song are disgusting. mind ur own business and let him make music. life and times was a great cd also. hopefully it gets a lot of recognition
i think he makes a valid point. fans are allowed to make tributes to the artists that inspire them. since he’s also a musician, it seems like an appropriate outlet. plus, why are a thousand wack, fake rappers allowed to scream 2Pac on a track without any consequences? it’s like that mlk episode of the boondocks! “huey, i really need approval over these type of things.”
everybody on here is taken this shit way to serious..the dude Ian an artist and made a track for another fallen artist outa respect…tf is so hard to understand that..and to the retard lol@thebs copy and camu were boys way before weatherman since whigh school pretty much and cage is the
cage is the worst rapper ever…copy was the best one in wm…and defense has the potential to be one of the best ever